Flooding and Development Management

The Environment Agency state that over five million people are at risk from flooding in the UK. We have put together some information so you can find out if you are at risk and how you can prepare yourself for flooding.

After flooding in 2007 the government commissioned a review, which recommended that "Local authorities should lead on the management of local flood risk, with the support of the relevant organisations", (The Pitt Review, 2008). This led to the Flood and Water Management Act (2010).

Cumbria County Council is now a Lead Local Flood Authority (LLFA) and has new powers and duties for managing flooding from local sources, namely Ordinary Watercourses, surface water (overland runoff) and groundwater in the administrative area of Cumbria.

We are working together with District Councils through a Cumbria LLFA Management Group with other relevant organisations to steer local flood risk management activities in Cumbria. Partnership working between the County Council, Risk Management Authorities, other relevant organisations and local communities is key to managing flood risk in the future, funding future flood schemes and helping communities to become more resilient to flooding.

The Flood and Development Management Team responds on behalf of the County Council as a consultee to the Local / County Planning Authorities planning applications as the:-

Local Highway Authority

Lead Local Flood Authority

Education Authority

If you would like any information in relation to the County Council's response to a planning application contact details can be found below.